GUIDELINES FOR

RESPONDING TO A
CHILD’S DISCLOSURE

1
Do not let a child
swear you to secrecy
If a child asks to speak
before telling you
with you, try to find a
something. You may
neutral setting where you
need to report, which
can have quiet and few
the child will view as
interruptions.
breaking your trust
with them

Don’t pressure for a

Do not lead the child in great amount of detail.
telling. Just listen, letting
him/her explain in
his/her
own words.

•Do not make

judgmental or
Respond calmly and
disparaging comments
matter-of-factly. Even if
about the abuser - it is
the story that the child
often someone the child
tells
loves or with whom
you is difficult to hear, it
he/she is close.
is important not to
register disgust or alarm.

Respect the child’s

Empower the student by confidence. Share with
as much as possible the Child Protection
allowing the child a part Team, but limit
in the process. information from and
with other
staff.

Do not make judgmental or

disparaging comments about
the abuser - it
is often someone the child loves
or with whom he/she is close.

If the child does not want to go home, this

should be considered an emergency. Report
and handle immediately
by contacting your school-based Support
Team or the Community-based
Multidisciplinary Team. Do not take the
child home with you!

Please note: teachers are not investigators. Your role is to listen and
respond to disclosures in order to determine the next
step for students to get the help they need. When appropriate, a
request for an investigation must be completed.